Building Your Custom Pochade Box Oil Painting

http://www.wbarts.com
About 24 dollars and a few hours of labor.
Help and Tips when building your custom Pochade Box. This is mine that I'm still adding too and Tweaking. Still need a few Hardware Pieces like a adjustable side hinge but you get a Idea.

Box Size 12 x 11 x 1 3/4 inches
Lumber 1/4 Underlayment or Birch Plywood
10 FT 3/4 x 1/2 Trim
Set of Hinges and Screws
3/4in Brad Nails
Wood Glue Water + Chemical Proof
1 1/4in Dowel No Smaller
Sheet of Glass 1/4in x 12 x 10
Misc Hardware

Tools
Table Saw
Drill
Ruler :)
Small Hammer
Screw Driver
Glass Cutter For Palette "Op"
Sander with fine sand paper for finishing.

When drilling for the Dowel, Make the Guide Block in the middle a hair "OFF" Not perfectly in the middle of the block. Either forward or Back a Hair, Centered Left to right! This gives the Dowel some pressure so it stays right where you slide it.

What I love about this box is your Palette is Glued in. You can just close the box and not worry about your paints going anywhere. Keeps them Fresh and out of light.

Those Little white clips are great for Canvas boards tho. They are from ClosetMaid Closet racks that hold the rack on the wall. Home Improvement Stores have ClosetMaid hardware.

Here is the Updated Small size Canvas holder in case of WIND. Using a rubber band, wood and a Metal EYE screw. Works great
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22911210@N05/2811714142/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22911210@N05/2811702838/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22911210@N05/2810863181/

Also Updated the Top canvas mount. Removed the Plastic and widdled out two grooves, one for Canvas board and one for Full size canvas. You can just use the table saw to make the grooves. I couldn't because I already glued in the dowel. :( But My Next one ;) Just rotate the top mount to fit the canvas. Here a photo of it. Much Better FIT! http://www.flickr.com/photos/22911210@N05/2811018041/

A bit over 2LBS on my Scale with all the few extras.

When I do paint outside, I bring my Dig-camera. Only bring a few brushes, depends on canvas really. But a few, and if I need to finish something later away from PleinAir painting, Ill take some photos of the area. Great when the clouds get heavy cause it is summer.

Also added a brush holder on the right side. Two Sheets of 1/4 ply glued together and 8 Drilled holes "8 brushes" Also the Lid, Canvas Mounting area, you can drill thru the one Support - wood - to hold brushes while transporting. Without a Canvas inside! I have to snap some photos and post them. Oh Ya, I'm a Lefty so brushes on the right :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22911210@N05/2816960893/

If your planning to seal up the lumber. Don't make it so Glossy, it blinds you like a mirror. If painting use Flat on the inside lid "Canvas area"

Let talk Tripods. I know the tripod in this video is a tiny Pod which is rated at 1 Lb. It does hold every tight tho, but It will wear it out quickly. In your Quest to find a good tripod, look for at least a 5 Lb rating. Targus makes a 20 dollar 5 Lber which is much stronger. You will have to remove the thumb screw held on by a E or C Clip. Using a toothpick or Eyeglass Flat head driver, slide the Clip off and remove the Thumb Screw. You may need other Tiny Allens and Phillips Tools to make room.

Few odds and ends left. Adjustable Hinge that Ill have to make out of two sliders and wingnuts. And a Hanging thinner can.. If I think of anything else.. Any comments or thoughts welcome..
Hope this video and Photos gives you some Ideas for a easy PleinAir Pochade Box, Now get out there!

To keep the Lid Open when mounted on a Tripod, cut a dowel 3-5inches long and jam it in the base /lid. Here's a photo of it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22911210@N05/2817686887/sizes/l/ On the Right side. Lid will not move on you. OR, make a side hinge that you can tighten Lock to keep the lid open.

All Photos are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/22911210@N05/

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Pochade
• Box
• Building
• Oil
• Painting

[WBarts]

Other Videos on the way.. Oil Painting Con-Art

Fine Art

[woollyblue]

how do you hold the box open while painting?

[woollyblue]

love it! It looks really functional and attractive. I don't have a table saw. Maybe Home Depot will cut the plywood and I can cut the trim....Thanks for the great directions...

Carolyn

[Michael71777]

Great design and video. Thanks very much! Just a few questions.

What's the hardware to lock it open?

Any design or hardware for adding an extension surface underneath left or right to clip containers for solvent/medium and holes drilled for holding brushes, etc...?

[artbydarleneyoung]

This is way cool. I wonder if I could build an ultra light weight one with foam core.Also since I don't have a table saw I could cut the foam core and glue it and seal it with sealer.

[StephenSaloArt]

Great. I'm going to make one. Thanks!

[GaryGarrett]

very nice emo